Elements of Drama

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Elements of Drama
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CONFLICT

• the essential ingredient for drama
• a struggle between two or more opposing forces
• internal or external

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Examples of Conflict

• a wrong to be made right
• a misunderstanding to be cleared up
• a moral dilemma to be resolved
• an enemy to be overcome
• a man or woman to be won

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Conflict involves a character

• facing choices
• making decisions
• taking action

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ACTION

• may be PHYSICAL or MENTAL
• DIALOGUE advances the action

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Restrictions on drama

• written to be ACTED not TOLD
• OBJECTIVE point of view
• presented in LIMITED TIME
• must appeal to WIDE AUDIENCE
• will not be RE-EXAMINED ONE SHOT PERFORMANCE

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PLOT

• written to include a BEGINNING, MIDDLE and END.
• (Exposition, Complication, Resolution and
  Denouement)

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EXPOSITIONBEGINNING

• sets action in time and place
• introduces characters
• reveals situation characters are in
• initiates the conflict to be developed
• may introduce foreshadowing

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COMPLICATIONMIDDLE

• develops conflict
• Obstacles are placed in front of hero or heroine
• misunderstandings are started
• problems or questions are debated
• develops characters more

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• RESOLUTION complications come to a high point or
  climax
• DENOUEMENT ties up loose ends at the end of the
  play may use poetic justice (good are rewarded
  and evil are punished)

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SETTING

• restricted to single place and time
• may reveal the type of characters
• may influence the characters actions
• may provide atmosphere
• may suggest ideas or themes

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CHARACTER is revealed by

• REACTION of other characters
• direct DESCRIPTION (physical and surroundings)
• a characters ACTIONS
• a characters THOUGHTS
• SPEECH

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• CONFIDANT another character who listens to the
  heros innermost thoughts and feelings
• ASIDE hero address audience directly (other
  characters on stage do not hear)

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• SOLILOQUY character is alone on stage and makes
  a speech revealing his or her thoughts
• MONOLOGUE a long speech by a single speaker
  (other characters on stage)

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DIALOGUE

• may advance action
• allows characters to reveal themselves
• differentiates between characters
• may describe setting
• may establish mood
• may clarify theme or main idea